White is a globally recognised figure in banking and technology. He worked for many years with computer giant IBM before spending six years with National Australia Bank, where he became Global General Manager of Electronic Banking.
He joined RBS in October 1999 as a key member of the bank’s team planning for the transformational acquisition of NatWest. There he led the successful technology integration of NatWest Group, and the Ulster Bank Group with the RBS Group.
White went on to become Director of Group Technology at RBS, where he was involved in activities spanning the US, Europe and China. The successful engagement with Bank of China on the technology aspects of the RBS investment programme was among many career highlights, along with support and guidance on the merger of Bibit with WorldPay.
He was appointed Executive Vice President, Manufacturing for RBS Americas, which had offices throughout the US as well as commercial banking locations in Canada. The manufacturing division was RBS’s ‘engine room’ supplying systems and support in areas including account processing, technology, property and purchasing.
After retiring from RBS in 2009, White formed JLB Ltd, a company specialising in advisory and consultancy services to large change programmes. Particular focus was placed on financial services companies and clients included Shawbrook Bank, Santander Group, JC Flowers, and Sopra Group. JLB also provided significant support to Lloyds Banking Group in its merger with Halifax Bank of Scotland over the three-year life of the investment programme.
Following the success of JLB a second company, ABOR Ltd, was formed. This organisation specialised in advising the CEO and Board of Sainsburys Bank in its programme to separate from their joint venture with Lloyds Banking Group.
White has also held a number of other Non-Executive Directorships – with NHS NSS from 2008 to 2012, where he was Chairman of its Audit Committee, PIPC from 2009-10,Innovation Scotland Ltd from 2012-13, and ECS Europe Ltd from 2016-20.
His contribution to banking and technology was recognised with an OBE in 2003. In the same year he was awarded the British Computer Society Flagship Business Achievement Award and the IT Director of the Year award, as well as Operations Director of the Year by European Banking Technology and the Financial Services Technology Award for the Outstanding Contribution to the Industry by an Individual. In June 2008 at the Computerworld Honors Program held in the Andrew W Mellon Auditorium in Washington DC, a distinguished panel presented White with the prestigious EMC Information Leadership Award.
John White said: “I am delighted to have joined Commsworld’s Board. I have watched the company with great interest during the COVID-19 pandemic as it has led from the front to meet the growing demands from business and the public sector for good connectivity and a resilient IT system.
“I stand ready to help Commsworld grow across the UK, and particularly south of the border. The potential is there for the company to increase its reach and market share. Working with LDC, who invested in Commsworld in 2019, I aim to provide the best advice I can to make sure Commsworld reaches its maximum potential. Scotland is a country with a proud history of producing companies with ambition, I hope Commsworld will be one of them as the decade goes on.”
Commsworld Chairman John Trower said: “I not only speak for myself, but for the whole Board, in saying that we are extremely happy to have a businessperson of the calibre of John White joining the company. His record and experience speaks for itself and we look forward with relish to gaining fresh insight into how we can continue to grow the company into a force to be reckoned with in the technology industry in the UK.”
